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In July 2000, scientists from around the world gathered for the XIII International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. During previous conferences HIV experts had worked hard to dispel a growing sentiment that HIV does not cause AIDS. There is a group of scientists and activists who insist that HIV is in fact a harmless passenger virus. Those that deny the connection between HIV and AIDS insist that people are dying as a result of venereal diseases, drug use, malnutrition and the HIV drugs; they insist that HIV is not the culprit.
This belief seems to be gaining popularity. In fact, South African President Thabo Mbeki is a supporter of such a theory. He has recently formed an AIDS advisory panel looking to end his country's AIDS crisis. However, half the seats on the panel are scientists who question that HIV is the cause of AIDS.
In response to the belief by many that HIV and AIDS are not connected, 5000 scientists attending Durban have written and signed the "Durban Declaration", a document attesting to the fact that HIV is indeed the cause of AIDS and the worldwide epidemic.
During the week they are together, experts in the fields of HIV treatment and research converge on Durban in hopes of finding a way to halt the spread of this devastating disease. But before that can happen, the world must all come together and recognize the cause, realize the effect and develop a plan to stop the suffering.
Read the "Durban Declaration" in its entirety.
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